A blundering arsonist who tried to burn down a packed nightclub but only managed to set fire to his own feet has been jailed at Swansea Crown Court for seven years.

Craig Cullen, 29, of Townhill Road, Mayhill, Swansea, was filmed on CCTV throwing petrol over the back door of the Oxygen nightspot in Northampton Lane in Swansea’s city centre which had which had more than 100 people inside, before igniting it into a huge fireball.

Dramatic CCTV images show the arsonist trying to escape down a metal staircase with his shoes and trousers well alight.

Fire starter Craig Cullen 29 who has been jailed for 7 years after he was caught setting his feet on fire on CCTV while trying to burn down the Oxygen Nightclub in Swansea.

Cullen is then seen trying to run off with his feet still on fire before he is caught by alert nightclub staff in the early hours of April 20 this year.

Mr Lui was today commended by sentencing judge Mervyn Hughes along with his member of staff Michael Richard Saunders for their prompt actions which he said saved what could have been a very serious incident.

Swansea Crown Court had earlier viewed CCTV footage which showed Cullen climbing the steel fire escape at the club, splashing petrol all over the steel door before taking a lighter from his pocket and setting it alight.

His clothes and shoes catch fire and he is seen trying to sprint away from the scene but is tripped up by a member of staff who is joined by colleagues in holding him until the police arrive.

South Wales Police said the quick thinking action of the club staff prevented a disaster.

Detective Constable Gareth Philips, the lead officer on the case said: "This could have been a major incident. It is down to the actions of the staff and the infrastructure of the club that the people inside weren’t injured.”

Geraint Walters, prosecuting, said Cullen got into an argument with a woman in Swansea’s city centre and when he saw her approaching Club Oxygen made threats he would “burn it down” if she got in.

Mr Walters said Cullen told a doorman: “I’m telling you now don’t let her in or I’ll burn the place down.”

He is then said to have told the woman in a text: “I’m going to burn it down (the club) you s***.”

The court also heard Cullen threatened to burn the woman’s house down.

Dyfed Thomas, for Cullen, said his client had experienced a very difficult background and added he could not assist the court with what the argument with the woman was about.

Judge Hughes said Cullen would be on licence for nine years which meant even after his release from prison he would still be monitored.

The court heard Cullen was regarded as being of “medium risk” to the public.